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Old 11-04-2019, 11:49   #1
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New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

Due to some very fortunate circumstances, I will take delivery of a new Fountaine Pajot Saba 50 six cabin (+2 fore peak berths for crew) in BVI in December. The boat will be in charter for a year or two at least, but I will use it as often as I can. I have never sailed, so I am looking for a bit of advice to increase my knowledge and keep me busy while waiting this summer.

I have two thoughts after reading a lot about sailing schools. One train of thought is get all the ASA certifications I can as well as time aboard a cat to learn all I can this summer in Rhode Island. The 2nd train of thought is to get ASA 101 this summer and then just wait until my boat is delivered and hire a certifying skipper to teach me on my boat. The 2nd way seems appealing as it will be personalized and more fun/relaxing.

In the end I want to feel knowledgeable, safe and able to handle situations that may arise as I skipper my own boat, possibly for charter guests some day. My background is power boats of 30-40 ft on inland lakes and a former life as a US NAVY submariner trained in navigation and electronics as a SONAR supervisor. I have a very technical background in electronics, motors, generators and mechanical equipment. I am a super geek and will install as many wireless sensors on my boat as I can to monitor systems performance and health.

Looking forward to joining the fun and relaxation of sailing soon!

Thanks for any advice and comments.
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Old 11-04-2019, 12:01   #2
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Re: New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

You can never have too much experience. Take all the ASA training you can get, and if you still feel less than knowledgeable, hire a captain to help with your boat. The reason I would opt for the ASA training is the book part will give you a more rounded knowledge base than a single captain (who possibly has bad sailing skills).
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Old 11-04-2019, 20:24   #3
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Re: New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

Welcome aboard Good Vibration! You may find we would love to pick your brain about SONAR around here!
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Old 11-04-2019, 21:21   #4
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Re: New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

You don't finish the ASA courses with the experience to be a good skipper -- that's just the start. There is always more to learn. I'd suggest taking as many courses as you can on all sorts of boats (so you are aware of differences and different techniques), and then of course hire a skipper to help you initially with the new boat.

Remember to learn the manual or old-school way to safely operate the boat too, for when all the electronics and electrics fail. Being a good skipper is about being ready for as many bad things happening as you can.
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Old 12-04-2019, 02:11   #5
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Re: New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, goodvibration.
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Old 15-04-2019, 09:21   #6
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Exclamation Re: New to sailing; new FP SABA 50 on the way

Quote:
Originally Posted by svgoodvibration View Post
I have never sailed, so I am looking for a bit of advice to increase my knowledge and keep me busy while waiting this summer.

Thanks for any advice and comments.
Sail a small dingy/catboat until you feel comfortable with swamping and righting it.

Sail a small sloop dingy until you feel comfortable with swamping and righting it.

Sail a catamaran like a Hobie 16 or 18 until you feel VERY comfortable tacking and jibing on it.

Doesn't matter if you skippered a nuclear submarine, until you've sailed a catamaran you haven't sailed a catamaran.
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